Why Zach Bryan Was Not Nominated for 2025 ACM Awards

Zach Bryan’s absence from the 2025 Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards nominations has sparked significant discussion among fans and industry observers.

Despite his critical and commercial success in 2024, particularly with his album The Great American Bar Scene, which produced viral hits like Pink Skies and 28, Bryan received no nominations for the awards set to air on May 8, 2025.

Many view this as a snub, drawing parallels to Beyoncé’s similar omission for Cowboy Carter, with some speculating that Bryan’s outspoken criticism of the country music establishment and awards shows played a role.

His decision to distance himself from Nashville’s mainstream scene, coupled with his reported choice not to submit his music for consideration, likely contributed to the oversight.

Additionally, allegations of emotional abuse following his public breakup with Brianna LaPaglia in November 2024 may have influenced voters, though other nominated artists with controversial pasts suggest this factor alone may not fully explain the exclusion.

The controversy is further fueled by Bryan’s history of rejecting industry norms. He has publicly expressed discomfort with awards shows, famously stating in 2022 that he did not want to be considered for the Country Music Association (CMA) Awards, and he opted out of submitting The Great American Bar Scene for the 2025 Grammys, citing a belief that music should not be competitive.

While it’s possible no ACM member submitted his work, given his prominence, it’s more likely that his anti-establishment stance and refusal to engage with Nashville’s promotional machinery—such as not promoting singles to country radio—diminished his visibility among voters.

This echoes the 2017 actions of Sturgill Simpson, who busked outside the CMA Awards in protest, a move Bryan has referenced positively. Fans argue that the ACM’s omission reflects a broader reluctance to embrace artists who challenge the industry’s commercial leanings, despite Bryan’s undeniable impact.

Despite the ACM snub, Zach Bryan’s 2024 was marked by remarkable achievements that underscore his influence in country and Americana music. His album The Great American Bar Scene debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and spawned multiple chart-topping tracks, with Pink Skies and 28 achieving viral status across platforms.

Bryan’s influence extends beyond numbers, as he has earned praise from peers like Jelly Roll, who called him “the greatest of this generation,” and 50 Cent, who hailed him as “the best new everything in country music.”

So, is this just a glitch in the system — or a sign of deeper friction between the industry and a rising country artist? Time will tell.